New date for IMHX gets a warm welcome

The new show dates of 16-19 November 2010 for the International Materials Handling Exhibition (IMHX) have been warmly welcomed by exhibitors and key industry bodies.

Organisers Quartz Publishing & Exhibitions Ltd polled all the show’s exhibitors about whether to move IMHX from March to November next year in view of the economic downturn. The overwhelming majority of exhibitors voted for the move and the new show dates of 16-19 November 2010 have been warmly welcomed by the materials handling industry.

James Clark, Secretary General of the British Industrial Truck Association (BITA) says, “Moving the exhibition to November makes financial sense for many BITA members and other exhibitors, especially given the current economic climate. BITA members have already received the change of date enthusiastically and we’re looking forward to another great show in November next year.”

His comments are echoed by David Ellison, Chief Executive of the Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA), who says, “We’re delighted that the organisers of IMHX have been able to reach an agreement that meets the needs of the vast majority of exhibitors.”

Exhibitors have also been expressing their satisfaction. John Maguire, Sales & Marketing Director of Narrow Aisle Ltd, comments: “The later date is better from an economic point of view. By November next year the economy should have improved and business sentiment should be more upbeat. For us, moving IMHX back was great news.”

Matthew Palmer, Commercial Director of Palletower (GB) Ltd, believes delaying the show will help exhibitors and visitors to refine their business plans. “We think that it makes sense to change the date of IMHX from March to November 2010,” he says. “I think it will give everyone involved the chance to understand the impact of the difficult trading conditions of the last 18 months and to be able to make their business plans and assess requirements accordingly.”

Gus Whyte, Sales Director of Motive Power for Hoppecke Industrial Batteries Limited, is optimistic that the economy will have improved by November next year. “Given the current downturn in the market,” he says, “we at Hoppecke feel that putting the show back by eight months is an clever compromise. Many companies are extending contracts and not investing significant amounts in new high-value equipment at the moment. We would hope that by November next year, handling industry buyers will be starting to be more active.”

Philip Makowski, Marketing Manager of Northern Europe for Dematic Limited, agrees that moving the show gives more time for economic recovery. “IMHX is the UK's largest material handling exhibition,” he says, “and an important event for Dematic to showcase our latest solutions for small, medium and large companies. Dematic has weathered the current economic slowdown due to our focus on customer- and market-led innovations that are delivering customers significant gains in productivity, accuracy and operational flexibility. With the shift to November 2010 and with more time to allow the economy to fully rebound, IMHX will be the perfect opportunity for Dematic to meet with potential customers looking to optimise their logistics operations.”

These upbeat sentiments are shared by Hannah Moule, Marketing Manager
for Psion Teklogix (UK) Ltd, who comments, “Psion Teklogix was happy to support the date change for the IMHX show next year and is committed to working hard with all its partners in the current challenging business climate to create the most value-led, cost-effective tools and mobility solutions for end-users in the materials handling sector. We look forward to the show in November 2010,” she continues, “as an opportunity to demonstrate our rugged range of PDAs whose lower-cost-of-ownership, flexibility and reliability will deliver many processing enhancements for the customers in that sector.”

The fact that the decision to change the timing of the show was taken in consultation with all exhibitors was particularly well received. Says Barry Langsford, Managing Director of Curtis Instruments, “Curtis welcomed the decision of the organisers – after consultation with BITA, our Trade Association – to reschedule IMHX 2010 from March to November, by which time we expect the materials handling industry to be pulling clear of the current downturn. IMHX 2010 will provide Curtis and fellow exhibitors with a great opportunity to showcase new products to an improving market.”